Method and apparatus for activating a power interlock system and automatically disabling a power supply in a computer having PCI slots

Abstract

According to the present invention, an apparatus and method for providing a power interlock system for computers with PCI slots is disclosed. An internal power lock apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a PCI detection circuit which senses the presence or absence of a PCI card or access port cover for each and every PCI slot in the computer. If any of the PCI slots do not have a PCI card installed and do not have an access cover to prevent access to the open slot, the PCI detection circuit activates the power interlock system and automatically disables the power supply.

Description

1. Technical FieldThis invention generally relates to power supply components for computer systems. More specifically, this invention relates to power interlock systems.2. Background ArtThe development of the EDVAC computer system of 1948 is often cited as the beginning of the computer era. Since that time, computer systems have evolved into extremely sophisticated devices, and computer systems may be found in many different settings. Modern computer systems vary in their design and architecture, with many different models available to achieve the desired combination of speed, power and efficiency for any given computing environment.In addition, most computer systems are used for a wide variety of tasks and, therefore, need to be flexible and versatile enough to change with the varying requirements of the computer user over time. For example, as the number of computer users on a given computer network increases, additional network components such as network cards and cables / adapters...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

An internal power lock apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a PCI detection circuit which senses the presence or absence of a PCI card or access port cover for each and every PCI slot in the comput

Problems solved by technology

Further, as organizational changes occur, the type and quantity of data being stored and processed may also change, requiring new or additional equipment such as external secondary storage devices.

Since the PCI slots have connectors that provide access to the power system of the computer, inadvertent contact with an empty yet "hot" PCI slot may result in serious injury or, in the case of computers with larger power supplies, death from electrocution.

In most smaller personal computers, the risk of injury is fairly remote because the power supplies are fairly low power.

However with larger computer systems containing high capacity power supplies, the potential for injury is relatively significant, because the amount of power required to operate larger computer systems is much greater than most personal computers.

While very effective from a safety perspective, this is a relatively inefficient, time consuming, and unnecessary process for several reasons.

This also means that a single bad cable can necessitate bringing the entire system down in order to replace the single defective cable.

Not only is this process somewhat inconvenient, it can significantly reduce productivity since all of the users connected to the system have to wait for the system to be powered up before they can access the system and continue working.

Without a less intrusive mechanism for disabling the power supply, many computer systems will continue to be less convenient to use and certain modifications or enhancements may not be adopted due the undesirable operational inefficiencies which are associated with the present electrocution hazard preventive safety measures.

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